Lando Norris believes that the departure of Max Verstappen would be a significant loss for both his fellow competitors and Formula 1 as a whole, yet he is confident that the four‑time world champion will "stay longer than people say." Norris, who finished runner‑up to Verstappen in last season’s championship, was speaking at a McLaren media day alongside his teammate Oscar Piastri when the topic of the Dutch driver’s future came up. Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull currently runs until the end of 2028, but recent comments about the upcoming 2026 technical regulations have sparked speculation about his long‑term plans. The new rule package will see a 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion power and electric energy, a shift that some drivers, including Norris, have described as a mixed bag. While newcomers often rave about the novelty of the hybrid cars, seasoned veterans who have spent years mastering the previous generation find the transition more challenging.
Norris noted, "When you see the rookies coming in and saying the cars are sick, it’s a different perspective compared to those of us who have been driving the older machines and have a benchmark to compare against." Despite those concerns, Norris emphasized that Verstappen’s desire to continue racing remains strong. "He’s earned the right to do whatever he wants after winning four championships," Norris said. "He’s always been outspoken, whether you agree with him or not, and that honesty is part of what makes him who he is. It would be a shame for the sport if he chose to leave now because he’s arguably one of the best drivers we’ll ever see in Formula 1." Norris went on to explain why losing Verstappen would affect the entire paddock.
"He makes our lives incredibly tough on the track, but he’s also a lot of fun to race against. Competing against a four‑time champion pushes you to be better, and that kind of competition is what the sport thrives on. If he were to walk away, it would be a loss not just for us, but for the fans and the heritage of F1 itself." Oscar Piastri echoed a similar sentiment.
The Australian driver said, "It would be a huge loss for the sport, especially at this stage of Max’s career. We all want to race against the best, and over the past decade Max has set the benchmark. The last five or six years he’s been the standard we measure ourselves against.
Losing him would be a big shame and would certainly hurt the image of the championship." The conversation about Verstappen’s future intensified after it was announced that his long‑time race engineer and confidant, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028 when his Red Bull contract expires. Lambiase’s departure could be a catalyst for change, as engineers often have deep relationships with drivers and can influence decisions about team moves.
While Verstappen’s own contract includes performance clauses that could allow an early exit if certain targets aren’t met, no official indication has been given that he intends to leave before 2028. Speculation about a possible move to Mercedes has persisted for years. The German team has been linked to Verstappen in numerous reports, and both parties have reportedly held discussions over the past two seasons.
McLaren’s Zak Brown was asked whether his team might become a contender for Verstappen should he decide to switch. Brown replied, "From McLaren’s point of view, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We have long‑term agreements with them and they are the best driver pairing on and off the track. We have no intention of replacing either of our superstars.
If one of them were to leave, Max would be a massive talent, but I’m not anticipating that. If I had to bet, I’d say he’d go to Mercedes." Brown also addressed the timing of Lambiase’s move, stating, "There’s always a chance, but he has a contract with Red Bull and we’ll respect that. If Red Bull needs a solution, we’re open to dialogue, but we’re prepared to wait until 2028." Beyond the contractual and engineering aspects, the broader context of the 2026 regulation changes adds another layer to the discussion.
The new hybrid formula aims to improve sustainability and bring the sport closer to road‑car technology, but drivers have expressed mixed feelings about the balance between power and handling. Norris highlighted that the perception of the cars varies: "New drivers think the cars are amazing, while veterans compare them to what we’ve driven before. It’s all relative." Nevertheless, Norris remains optimistic about Verstappen’s longevity.
He recalled a recent comment from the Red Bull driver himself: "I want to win my fifth world championship," suggesting that the Dutchman’s competitive fire is far from extinguished. "If he’s still hungry for more titles, he’ll likely stay longer than people think," Norris concluded. As the season progresses, fans will watch closely at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, the second Sprint weekend of the year, to see how Verstappen adapts to the evolving technical landscape and whether any hints emerge about his future plans.
Whether he remains with Red Bull, moves to Mercedes, or perhaps even considers a surprise switch to another team, the consensus among his peers is clear: Max Verstappen is a cornerstone of modern Formula 1, and his continued presence will shape the sport for years to come.